Project description:BackgroundThe SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant (B.1.617.2), first detected in India, has rapidly become the dominant variant in England. Early reports suggest this variant has an increased growth rate suggesting increased transmissibility. This study indirectly assessed differences in transmissibility between the emergent Delta variant compared to the previously dominant Alpha variant (B.1.1.7).MethodsA matched case-control study was conducted to estimate the odds of household transmission (≥ 2 cases within 14 days) for Delta variant index cases compared with Alpha cases. Cases were derived from national surveillance data (March to June 2021). One-to-two matching was undertaken on geographical location of residence, time period of testing and property type, and a multivariable conditional logistic regression model was used for analysis.FindingsIn total 5,976 genomically sequenced index cases in household clusters were matched to 11,952 sporadic index cases (single case within a household). 43.3% (n=2,586) of cases in household clusters were confirmed Delta variant compared to 40.4% (n= 4,824) of sporadic cases. The odds ratio of household transmission was 1.70 among Delta variant cases (95% CI 1.48-1.95, p <0.001) compared to Alpha cases after adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, index of multiple deprivation (IMD), number of household contacts and vaccination status of index case.InterpretationWe found evidence of increased household transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, potentially explaining its success at displacing Alpha variant as the dominant strain in England. With the Delta variant now having been detected in many countries worldwide, the understanding of the transmissibility of this variant is important for informing infection prevention and control policies internationally.
Project description:The B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first identified in the state of Maharashtra in late 2020 and spread throughout India, outcompeting pre-existing lineages including B.1.617.1 (Kappa) and B.1.1.7 (Alpha)1. In vitro, B.1.617.2 is sixfold less sensitive to serum neutralizing antibodies from recovered individuals, and eightfold less sensitive to vaccine-elicited antibodies, compared with wild-type Wuhan-1 bearing D614G. Serum neutralizing titres against B.1.617.2 were lower in ChAdOx1 vaccinees than in BNT162b2 vaccinees. B.1.617.2 spike pseudotyped viruses exhibited compromised sensitivity to monoclonal antibodies to the receptor-binding domain and the amino-terminal domain. B.1.617.2 demonstrated higher replication efficiency than B.1.1.7 in both airway organoid and human airway epithelial systems, associated with B.1.617.2 spike being in a predominantly cleaved state compared with B.1.1.7 spike. The B.1.617.2 spike protein was able to mediate highly efficient syncytium formation that was less sensitive to inhibition by neutralizing antibody, compared with that of wild-type spike. We also observed that B.1.617.2 had higher replication and spike-mediated entry than B.1.617.1, potentially explaining the B.1.617.2 dominance. In an analysis of more than 130 SARS-CoV-2-infected health care workers across three centres in India during a period of mixed lineage circulation, we observed reduced ChAdOx1 vaccine effectiveness against B.1.617.2 relative to non-B.1.617.2, with the caveat of possible residual confounding. Compromised vaccine efficacy against the highly fit and immune-evasive B.1.617.2 Delta variant warrants continued infection control measures in the post-vaccination era.
Project description:Background: Post infection immunity and post vaccination immunity both confer protection against COVID-19. However, there have been many whole genome sequencing proven reinfections and breakthrough infections. Both are most often mild and caused by Variants of Concern (VOC). Methods: The patient in our study underwent serial COVID-19 RT-PCR, blood tests for serology, acute phase reactants, and chest imaging as part of clinical care. We interviewed the patient for clinical history and retrieved reports and case papers. We retrieved stored RT-PCR positive samples for whole genome sequencing (WGS) of SARS-CoV-2 from the patient's breakthrough infections and the presumed index case. Findings: The patient had three RT-PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections. Two breakthrough infections occurred in quick succession with the first over 3 weeks after complete vaccination with COVISHIELD and despite post-vaccination seroconversion. The first breakthrough infection was due to the Alpha variant and the second due to the Delta variant. The Delta variant infection resulted in hypoxia, hospitalization, and illness lasting seven weeks. Serial serology, acute phase reactants, and chest imaging supported WGS in establishing distinct episodes of infection. WGS established a fully vaccinated family member as the index case. Interpretation: The patient had an Alpha variant breakthrough infection despite past infection, complete vaccination, and seroconversion. Despite boosting after this infection, the patient subsequently had a severe Delta variant breakthrough infection. This was also a WGS proven reinfection and, therefore, a case of breakthrough reinfection. The patient acquired the infection from a fully vaccinated family member.
Project description:The emergence of the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant of the severe acute syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that emerged in 2019 (COVID-19), resulted in a surge of cases in India and has expanded and been detected across the world, including in the United States. The B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant has been seen to be twice more transmissible coupled with potential increases in disease severity and immune escape. As a result, case numbers and hospitalisations are once again on the rise in the USA. On 16 July 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a 7-day average 69.3% increase in new cases and a 35% increase in hospitalisations. Although the gold standard for SARS-CoV-2 variants identification remains genomic sequencing, this approach is not accessible to many clinical laboratories. The main goal of this study was to validate and implement the detection of the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant utilising an open reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) platform by explicitly detecting the S-gene target failure (SGTF) corresponding to the deletion of two amino acids (ΔE156/ΔF157) characteristic of B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant. This approach was conceived as a rapid screening of B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant in conjunction with CDC's recommended N1 (nucleocapsid gene), N2, and RP (human RNase P) genes, as a pre-screening tool prior to viral genomic sequencing. We assessed 4,937 samples from 5 July to 5 September 2021. We identified the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant in 435 of 495 positive samples (87.8%); the additional positive samples (7 samples, 1.4%) were found to belong to the B.1.1.7 (Alpha, UK) lineage and the remaining 53 samples (10.7%) were reported as 'other' lineages. Whole genome sequencing of 46 randomly selected samples validated the strains identified as positive and negative for the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant and confirmed the S gene deletion in addition to B.1.617.2 characteristic mutations including L452R, T478K, P681R and D950N located in the spike protein. This modality has been used as routine testing at the Riverside University System Health (RUHS) Medical Center as a method for detection of B.1.617.2 (Delta) to pre-screen samples before genome sequencing. The assay can be easily implemented in clinical laboratories, most notably those with limited economic resources and access to genomic platforms.
Project description:Genetic variants of SARS-CoV-2 have repeatedly altered the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Delta variants of concern are now the focus of intense international attention because they are causing widespread COVID-19 disease globally and are associated with vaccine breakthrough cases. We sequenced the genomes of 16,965 SARS-CoV-2 from samples acquired March 15, 2021 through September 20, 2021 in the Houston Methodist hospital system. This sample represents 91% of all Methodist system COVID-19 patients during the study period. Delta variants increased rapidly from late April onward to cause 99.9% of all COVID-19 cases and spread throughout the Houston metroplex. Compared to all other variants combined, Delta caused a significantly higher rate of vaccine breakthrough cases (23.7% for Delta compared to 6.6% for all other variants combined). Importantly, significantly fewer fully vaccinated individuals required hospitalization. Individuals with vaccine breakthrough cases caused by Delta had a low median PCR cycle threshold (Ct) value (a proxy for high virus load). This value was closely similar to the median Ct value for unvaccinated patients with COVID-19 caused by Delta variants, suggesting that fully vaccinated individuals can transmit SARS-CoV-2 to others. Patients infected with Alpha and Delta variants had several significant differences. Our integrated analysis emphasizes that vaccines used in the United States are highly effective in decreasing severe COVID-19 disease, hospitalizations, and deaths.
Project description:Olfactory dysfunction is common in COVID-19, and sudden-onset dysosmia is an early marker for wild-type SARS-CoV-2 infection. Over 10 000 mutations of SARS-CoV-2 have been registered, with variants of concern (VOC) under particular scrutiny. We report a telemedicine-based, multicentre, prospective cohort study with quantitative olfaction testing comparing 79 patients with a confirmed VOC-Delta (n = 21) or wild-type (WT) SARS-CoV-2 infection. Acute SARS-CoV-2 infection led to significant decrease of olfactory function in both cohorts. A majority of patients suffered from hyposmia or anosmia at inclusion with only 26 individuals performing normosmic. Sniffin'Sticks total scores were significantly higher for VOC-Delta patients at onset of illness, compared to WT patients (p < 0.001). At 4 weeks follow-up, olfaction scores recovered only partially for WT patients, thus odds of recovery were stronger in VOC-Delta patients. Also, subjective self-rating of chemosensory function was lower in WT, compared to VOC-Delta patients. The need for ongoing olfaction studies and their prognosis in SARS-CoV-2 background remains urgent, also in the light of increasing numbers of olfaction-related patient presentations.
Project description:The Delta variant of concern of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is dominant worldwide. We report a case cluster caused by Delta sublineage B.1.617.2 harboring the mutation E484K in Italy during July 11-July 29, 2021. This mutation appears to affect immune response and vaccine efficacy; monitoring its appearance is urgent.
Project description:IntroductionBreakthrough COVID-19 may occur in vaccinated people, and may result from declining vaccine effectiveness or highly transmittable SARS-CoV-2 variants, such as the B.167.2 (delta) variant. We investigated risk factors and outcomes for infection with the delta variant among vaccinated hemodialysis patients.MethodsPatients on maintenance hemodialysis who received two doses of the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine were analysed according to having developed COVID-19 (study group) or not (control group), in a retrospective, observational, comparative study. We compared risk-factors for developing breakthrough COVID-19 and assessed clinical outcomes, including 30-day mortality rates.ResultsTwenty-four cases of breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection were compared to 91 controls without infection. Breakthrough infection was associated with chronic immunosuppressive treatment, hematological malignancies, and low antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. All COVID-19 cases occurred at least 5 months after vaccination, and most were caused by the B.1.617.2 variant (at least 23/24 cases). COVID-19 was categorized as severe or critical disease in 11/24 patients (46%), and 54% required hospitalization and COVID-19-directed treatment. The source of infection was nosocomial in 6/24 cases (25%), and healthcare-related in 3/24 (12.5%). Mortality rate was 21%. Overall mortality was significantly higher in patients who developed COVID-19 than in controls (odds ratio for all-cause mortality 7.6, 95% CI 1.4-41, p = 0.002).ConclusionsBreakthrough COVID-19 with the B.1.617.2 variant can occur in vaccinated hemodialysis patients and is associated with immunosuppression and weaker humoral response to vaccination. Infections may be nosocomial and result in significant morbidity and mortality.
Project description:ImportanceVaccine breakthrough by an emergent SARS-CoV-2 variant poses a great risk to global public health.ObjectiveTo determine the SARS-CoV-2 variant responsible for 6 cases of vaccine breakthrough.DesignNasopharyngeal swabs from suspected vaccine breakthrough cases were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by qPCR for Wuhan-Hu1 and Alpha variant. Positive samples were then sequenced by Swift Normalase Amplicon Panels to determine the causal variant.SettingTransmission event occurred at events surrounding a wedding outside of Houston, TX. Two patients from India, likely transmitted the Delta variant to other guests.ParticipantsFollowing a positive SARS-CoV-2 qPCR test at a third-party site, six fully vaccinated patients were investigated. Three males and three females ranged from 53 to 69 years old. One patient suffered from diabetes while three others were classified as overweight. No significant other comorbidities were identified. None of the patients had a history of failed vaccination.Key pointsQuestion: Which SARS-CoV-2 variant is responsible for 6 cases of vaccine breakthrough, one interventional monoclonal antibody treatment, and one death?Findings: Viral sequencing revealed 6 vaccinated patients were infected with the Delta SARS-CoV-2 variant. With no histories of vaccine breakthrough, this suggests Delta variant may possess immune evasion in patients that received the Pfizer BNT162b2, Moderna mRNA-1273, and Covaxin BBV152.Meaning: Delta variant may pose the highest risk out of any currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants, with increased transmissibility over Alpha variant and possible vaccine breakthrough.